Gaming Addiction: How Much Is TOO Much?

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Gaming addiction: when does video gaming become a problem? This psychiatrist shares the signs you need to know.

Video games - if you don’t play them yourself, you know someone who does. And gaming disorder may soon be an official diagnosis. An estimated 1 in 10 children show the signs of gaming disorder, so we sat down with Dr. Judith Joseph to discuss everything you need to know about this disorder.

ABOUT THE SERIES:
Video games like Fortnite are more accessible than ever. And one in 10 kids is estimated to show signs of gaming disorder. So we sat down with Dr. Judith Joseph to discuss everything you need to know about this disorder. Dr. Joseph walks through how gaming goes from a hobby to a disorder, how the reward system of video games can be so addictive, and how to spot the warning signs of video game addiction. She ends the series by providing simple at-home strategies for preventing gaming disorder, how to seek treatment for it, and how to tell if a loved one is recovering from gaming disorder. This series will not only help those facing gaming disorder, but will also go a long way in helping prevent video game play from becoming an addiction in the first place. Welcome to the MedCircle original series, “Video Game Addiction: Pressing Pause and Preventing Its Onset.”

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#gamingaddict #gamingaddiction #gamingaddicts

[cantwealljustgetalong]

My ex, who is 45, secretly plays on his phone for hours into the early morning. He watches Youtube videos on how to play more effectively, and he is obsessed with one particular game. He has lost all ambition in real life. I had to break off our relationship and go no contact with him as he ended up being extremely abusive to me in the end. This addiction is truly damaging his life.

[TheLilDeyDey]

The DSM 5 needs a category for technology additions such as video game, social media, cell phone, etc types of addictions.

[Bvbfangurllife]

Lets talk about depression and gaming. If it wasnt for gaming i would have killed myself at 13. When im not depressed i dont really game. Last night i had suicidal thoughts and was playing for a while. Today i feel much better and it got my mind off things.

[DoctorElliottCarthy]

Behavioural addictions including gambling, gaming, sex etc are often very under-estimated. Evidence shows these stimulate the reward pathway just as drugs and alcohol do. Where overindulgence becomes addiction will continue to be a grey area though.

[aarxnw]

I played games a lot when I was a child, I played them non-stop and if I didn't have money to get another one, i'd leave my console to collect dust, my phone however, is an addiction, nobody would give up in this age now!

[thegeekyfightermma]

I play a lot of video games and I do believe there's such thing as video game addiction. Idk why so many gamers are opposed to the idea that there's such a thing. Just enjoy what your doing and except the cons if the pros mean that much to you. You don't see any drinker or smoker denying their cons. Note: I understand not all the gamers here aren't addicts but you can't deny the fact that there are players who are addicts

[steveevans]

When I was a kid growing up in the early 00's, my parents let me and my brothers buy and play video games with almost no boundaries. We quickly became addicted and it dictated our childhood and teenage years. I don't blame my parents. They didn't know the damage being done. Midway through high school, I realized what was going on and tried braking away. It was difficult and was only accomplished successfully when I replaced video games with meaningful activities and relationships. My life improved dramatically and has been changed ever since. It took several years before my brothers broke away and began to improve their own lives. I still have a brother who is addicted and doesn't see it. I see it affecting his life to this day.

[arielmoon]

How is playing video games any different than any other form of fictional escapism? Shouldn't it just be "escapism disorder"?
Just because kids in 2019 are more likely to pick up a video game than a book doesn't make the behaviour and the root of it any different. It's not "video game disorder", it's escapism, and everybody does it.

[pumintheking]

”if you have GOOD grades and gaming is not a addiction” WHAT I have good grades and game most of my time and have adhd

[nathaliea]

instant gratification... we're all starving for instant gratification so we escape to games which offers that. Online gaming also offers acceptance for whatever sexual orientation and ethical background a player has. that's my personal take.

[jewelthompson]

Geeh, these comments. She does say that she wants to "not call everything an addiction." So, clearly she isn't saying that video games are the source of the issue. It is ONE form of escapism, as she also mentions the dad being addicted to his computer.

[leachristianwoman]

Many of the children I work with who are preoccupied with gaming have already had their lives, “fall apart, ” in terms of family dystfunction. Without healthy supports, the children or adolescents turn to the games as a means of escape/avoidance. They are also aware that parents/guardian allow them to spend unusual amounts of time on the games, as they have unhealthy ways of communicating and coping with the child and family dysfunction. This isn’t all circumstances, but a considerable amount of clients with whom I work.

[drquantum]

I started playing games since birth. I don't remember my first video game. Today i am 30 years old. Gaming can clearly be addictive. If you ignore your life problems and deep dive into gaming, it causes more harm than good long term. This is a huge issue in our society and it will vlearly get worse. I still play video games but it doesnt rule my life. I maybe play 2-3 hours a day maximum, though gaming have ruined my young potential when i was young.

[harrietthespy]

Depression symptoms become harder and harder to treat with brain changes after long term IGD!

[pm]

Then, talk about Watching Disorder and Reading Disorder.

[SlackersIndustry]

people shouldnt be playing more than an hr a day if they got family and responsibilities i play 0 i have to many responsibilities at the moment, havent played in 4 years but i still think about it every day, guess thats how an alcoholic feels when addicted.

[idktbhlmk]

The main modern addiction is mobile phones
face it

[kingjudusthememe]

“He didn’t go to school for a week” that’s parents fault my mum would drag my ass to school

[epluribuscorruptum]

@5:33 Playing 10 hours a day, every single day is not a disorder? I am losing my mind 😂

[dodobyrde]

Games provide a medium to escape from reality. An enhanced version of cinema. It makes you feel like someone cool in a gamer's standards. This escapism is supposed to make people happy. If it doesn't and you are stuck with it for a long time, we better quit.